Bruins prospect profile #27: Justin Florek

Justin Florek, LW
6-4, 195
May 18, 1990
Shoots: Left
Boston's fifth choice, 135th overall (fifth round) in 2010 draft
Signing status: Unsigned

Talent Analysis

Physical: Big, lean winger has the height and long limbs to be an effective power forward and is gradually adding mass and strength to his frame. Powerful skater with a long, loping stride and the ability to cover ground quickly. Still a bit gangly, and not as proficient in his lateral movements as he is in a straight line when he's going up and down the wing. Okay hands but not high-end offensive skills; doesn't handle the puck a lot in traffic. Bullet shot that he unleashes from the wing: hard, heavy and accurate. Able to finish off chances in close and around the net. An underrated playmaker; able to find seams in defenses and set up teammates for scoring chances. A willing physical player who understands his role and responsibilities and uses his size well to gain position in front of the net. Looks to have a bit of a mean streak, but is more of an honest skater who doesn't try to intimidate but won't shy away when the hitting picks up, either. Plays a solid three-zone game and is an effective special teamer at the NCAA level.

Intangibles: Hard-working, character player who is a good teammate and has the desire to go along with an impressive set of natural gifts. He's an intelligent two-way player, but doesn't appear to have the kind of elite offensive instincts that would translate into a top-six role in the NHL. However, he understands that he's most effective when going to the net and picking up the trash. A diligent, responsible player who puts in the work without a lot of fanfare.

Boston Bruins 2011 Development Camp assessment

Helped himself at development camp. Much like Zach Trotman, showed considerable improvement over where he was a year ago at this time. Anyone who was at development camp and wondered why the B's spent a fifth-round pick on a previously passed over player like Florek may have had a lot of the doubts quelled after the way he performed. Unloaded that drive of his on several occasions, finding the back of the net high and in the corners. Worked effectively with Ryan Spooner and Brian Ferlin, scoring goals and creating time and space for his creative playmaking pivot Spooner.

Development Camp interview with Justin Florek




Projection

Florek could possibly make the NHL as a third-line winger, but will probably spend considerable time in the minors first. He's raw and doesn't do much at the high end of the offensive spectrum, but is the kind of guy who could exceed expectations because he has the work ethic to go with his size and skating. He's picking things up in his development and even though he scored fewer goals as a junior than he did a year ago, he's poised for a big senior season and should push for 30+ markers if it all comes together for him. Watch for Florek to be skating for Providence in late March/early Apri when his NCAA eligibility is exhausted, and with his big body and underrated offensive skill, he could bring a nice boost in what everyone in Rhode Island hopes will be a playoff spring.

Quotable

"That one line, I thought was very good, with [Justin] Florek, [Ryan] Spooner, and [Brian] Ferlin. I thought you could see the, they made plays together, they found each other, they scored. Just, it was just good to see the confidence in the players come out. You’re worried, not worried, but you watch if they improve and you know they’re going to improve, just because they’re good players, they’re going to improve from day to day, but it’s good to see when the confidence starts to come out and I saw that in a lot of these kids."- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli; July 11, 2011

"Well I mean you look at the physical size and he isn’t even done, you know, filling out that frame. So there’s a lot of room there. Look at the drills, look at the power skating, you know it’s hard for him because he’s not a kid that’s a fluid skater. But he gets there, and he’s heavy when he gets there. And he’s heavy around the front of the net and then you see the release when he gets one chance. Some guys need two, three, four, five, right. But he gets one and buries it. Thats the stuff that you kind of say, okay, if we can continue to work on the other stuff, and he’s willing to work on that stuff then you know you could find a player there for sure."- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney; July 10, 2011

"He's a big kid who moves well and has some good upside as a power forward. We think he's only scratching the surface of what he's capable of and with his character, is someone we're glad to have in the organization."- Bruins amateur scouting director Wayne Smith to B2010DW, Los Angeles; June 26, 2010

“First year, I was heartbroken like any kid would be expecting to get drafted and not being drafted. The second year I didn’t really think about it but obviously, it’s in the back of your head. And then, the third year, I just picked up the shift on Saturday, draft day, and didn’t even think about it. I was working when I got the call.”- Justin Florek to hockeyjournal.com, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010

“I’m a big power forward; I pick up loose pucks around the net and maintain possession down low. I throw the body around when I need to. I’m a defensive forward; I penalty kill a lot and play the power play, penalty kill, 5-on-5– I do it all.”- Justin Florek, Wilmington, Mass.; July 6-10, 2010